One thing critics have always loved about the Miata is its wonderful shifter. Some have said that it's one fo the best in the business. Does anybody know if the one in the RX-8 will be similar or the same?

From what I've heard, it will be nearly identical to the 6 speed found in the Miata, which indeed is one of the best shifters in the world.

I would put the Miata, S2000, and RSX 6 speed all together as running neck and neck for best manual that exists today.

I would add the Acura CL 6 speed to the list. Its quite good. I think Honda/Acura and Mazda do this very well. But remember its not just the shifter and linkage. The transmission must be designed for low effort for all this to work.

The company that did the Miata's transmission (Aisin, I think) is doing the tranny on the RX-8.

A preview in Car And Driver comended the shifter in the 8. Which is a really good thing because it was a preproduction version.